Fall 2021 Orientation
SIS is hosting a required Orientation for new graduate students for fall 2021 tentatively scheduled for the week of August 23-28.
More information, including how to RSVP, will be shared later this spring. Stay tuned!
School of International Service on a map
Graduate Advising 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesFull-time graduate students usually take 9 credit hours per semester, typically three, 3-credit courses. Part-time graduate students usually take 6 credit hours per semester. SIS does not typically recommend that students register for more than three classes in any semester. Please note that international students holding F or J visas must register full-time (9 credit hours in the fall/spring semesters). All students with university merit awards (scholarships and assistantships) should refer to their admissions/award letter for specific registration requirements. In order to be eligible for U.S. federal student loans, students must be registered at least half-time (5 credit hours in the fall/spring semesters; 2 credit hours in the summer).
For examples of full-time and part-time degree sequencing, you may review the Sample Degree Timelines.
First-semester students in the Comparative and Regional Studies program are encouraged to take:
In order to access any linked resource, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.
Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for CRS.
First semester students in the Cross-Cultural Communication certificate program are encouraged to register for SIS-640 International Communication and SIS-642 Intercultural Relations, and to discuss further course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur.
Students in Development Management (DM) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their area of concentration and the Action Research Practicum in their final semester(s). Full-time DM students who begin in the fall semester are encouraged to take:
*There are two required economics courses for DM students:
ECON-603 is waived for DM students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. All DM students are required to take SIS-731 Economic Development. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Mary Barton is the academic advisor for DM.
Full-time first semester students in the Ethics, Peace and Human Rights program are encouraged to take:
Mary Barton is the academic advisor for EPHR.
Students in Global Environmental Policy are encouraged to focus on required core courses in their first semester. Full-time students are encouraged to take following:
Mary Barton is the academic advisor for GEP.
First semester students in the Global Governance, Politics, and Security program are encouraged to take:
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the GGPS program.
First semester students in the International Affairs Policy and Analysis (IAPA) program are encouraged to take:
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for IAPA.
First semester students in the Intercultural and International Communication program are encouraged to take:
In order to access the list of suggested concentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.
Jessica MacArthur is the academic advisor for IC.
Students in International Development (ID) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their professional track and capstone requirements after completing the core. Full-time first semester students are encouraged to take:
*There are two required economics courses for ID students:
ECON-603 is waived for ID students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Mary Barton is the academic advisor for ID.
First semester students in the International Economics (IE) program are encouraged to take:
Please review the Schedule of Classes for any course prerequisites. If a course has a prerequisite, please contact your academic advisor to discuss the requirement.
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the IE program.
First semester students in the International Economic Relations program are encouraged to take:
Please review the schedule of classes for course prerequisites. If a course has a prerequisite, please contact your academic advisor to discuss the requirement.
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the IER program.
First semester students in the International Economic Relations Certificate program are encouraged to discuss course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Mike Rosenberger.
First-semester students in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program are encouraged to take:
In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.
Students pursuing a dual-degree between IPCR and the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Master of Theological Studies should consult with their academic advisor when planning their course schedule.
Jessica MacArthur is the academic advisor for IPCR.
1L JDMA students will not begin taking courses in SIS until their 2L year. 2L and 3L JDMA students should contact their academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur, for registration suggestions.
Students beginning the Master of International Service Executive degree program (MIS) in the fall semester are strongly recommended to take:
*Information regarding the Fall 2021 Executive Leadership course will follow.
** Pending public health conditions
Amy Newell is the academic advisor for MIS.
Students in the Master of International Service degree program following the International Studies Track for students from international partner institutions should register for three courses in their first semester:
Depending upon the number of credits of Advanced Standing awarded upon admission and whether a student is required to take an economics and/or methods course, students take between 9 and 15 credit hours in the concentration, followed by a 3-credit capstone in their second semester.
Skills institutes may only be taken toward the concentration if the student will take greater than 9 credits in their concentration.
Amy Newell is the academic advisor for MIS:IST.
Students in the Natural Resources and Sustainable Development program take three required courses in the fall semester:
Marley Crutcher is the academic advisor for NRSD.
First-semester students in the Peacebuilding certificate program are encouraged to register for SIS-733 International Peace and Conflict Resolution Seminar I, and to discuss further course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur.
First-semester students in the United States Foreign Policy and National Security program are encouraged to take:
When selecting an economics course, please note that all USFP students must complete SIS-616 International Economics, SIS-652 Intro to Environmental Economics, or SIS-731 Economic Development. Students without a background in economics are required to take ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory before taking SIS-616, SIS-652, or SIS-731. ECON-603 will be waived for students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for USFP.